We have city water and do not water because of the high rates. We have a friend who waters using a sprinkler system and the bill was over $1000.00. for 3 months last summer. - I am a retired letter carrier and a few years back the water bills were sent on a post card with the amt owed next to the address. $600.-$900.00 was not uncommon in the upscale neighborhoods. But other neighborhoods adveraged about $250 in the summer, and this has been severals years. I know my rates have gone up so those bills probably have too. I do water my flower beds. The more you water the grass the more it needs mowed. This year the mower has not been needed much.